Variable fill control for automatic washer



1959 w. E. GRAY, JR., ET AL 2,869,347

VARIABLE FILL CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC WASHER Filed Sept. 14. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet l 'B'oooo ill 3' INVENTOR. WALTER E. GRAY, JR.

. 8. KENNETH A. LARKIN 34 THEIR ATTORNEY Jan. 20, 1959 w, GRAY, JR, ET AL 2,869,347

VARIABLE FILL CONTROL FOR AUTOMATIC WASHER Fi led Sept. 14. 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.2

FIG.3

I? I I 50.

INVENTOR.

WALTER E. GRAY. JR. 8:. KENNETH A-LARKIN 4 24 Z My THEIR ATTORNEY nite States Patent VARIABLE FILL CQNTROL FOR AUTOMATIC WASHER Walter E. Gray, J12, Erie, Pa and Kenneth A. Larkin, Los

Angeles, Calif., assignors to General Electric Company, a corporation of New'York Application September 14, 1955, Serial No. 534,251 Claims. or. 68-207) This invention relates to clothes washing machines of the spin basket type wherein the clothes are washed and rinsed in the basket and the basket is rotated to extract the water from the clothes. It is especially useful in such machines whereinthe several operations are performed automatically and wherein one or more operations may be initiated or completed by the accumulation of a predetermined amount of water upon a sensing device.

An object of our invention is to provide an improved arrangement for conserving water in the operation of automatic clothes washing machines.

Another object is to provide an improved construction and arrangement for selectively controlling the amount of Water placed in the basket of a clothes washing ma chine. i

' A further object is to provide an improved water control means arranged to prevent the accidental supplying of an unnecessarily large amount of water into clothes washing machines. i l i ii i In carrying out our invention we provide an arrangement in which the control upon the water supplied to the machine is constantly exerted during the filling operation, in contrast to a control exerted only after the filling operation is completed. For example, in various clothes washing machines heretofore known the control apparatus is dependent upo-nthe amount of water overflowing from the washing basket into a tub with the result that a clogging of overflow apertures may cause an eXcessive amount of water to be supplied before the control apparatus can become efiective. Moreover, in conventional apparatus in which a fixed overflow aperture is employed in the basket, and the water control is dependent upon overflow from such basket, the same amount of water is necessarily used in each washing operation regardless of whether the amount of clothes being washed requires that amount of water. In many cases more water is consumed than is necessary. According to our invention the operator may select the amount of water desired for a given washing operation and as an additional safety feature the apparatus is so constructed that the water supply will be cut off in case overflow from the basket occurs as a result of abnormal conditions of operation.

Other features and advantages of our invention will be apparent in the following detailed description of the presently preferred construction shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a vertical elevation partly in section showing a washing machine embodying our improved variable fill control apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a detail view partly in section showing a suitable form of variable control valve mounting for use with the machine of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary plan view of the machine of Fig. 1 broken away to indicate a suitable mounting location for the incoming water supply structure.

Although our variable fill control may be adapted for use other than with washing machines, we have chosen to describe its operation with a domestic washing machine 2,869,347 Patenteddan. 20, 1959 because of the special need in this application for con-' serving the amount of water used, particularly the use of hot water, and for preventing accidental overfilling of such machines. Referring to Fig. 1, there is provided an outer casing 1 of a clothes washing machine within which is secured a suitable tub 2, which may be supported from the upper part of the casing. The casing may also have a rigid base frame 3 and a cover 4 including a raised backsplash panel 5 suitable for mounting and enclosing a portion of our improved variable fill control apparatus. A removable lid 5a, as shown in Fig. 3, is provided in the cover for access to the interior of the machine in the customary way.

Within the tub is a spin basket 6 in which clothes are placed to be washed by oscillation of an agitator 7. Adjacent its upper edge the basket is provided with openings 3 through which'water is discharged into the tub. The basket inay also be provided with a suitably mounted inwardly directed flange 9 adapted to support an annular weight 10 serving as a stabilizing element during rotation of the basket and its contents, Water is supplied to the interior of the basket by a spout 11 in a manner later to be described. The presence of the stabilizing element helps to permit smooth rotation even when the loadof water in basket 6 represents only'a partial filling of the basket.

During the washing operation the basket is held stationary while the agitator 7 is oscillated. Thereafter the water is centrifugally' extracted from the clothes by rotating the basket at high'spe'ed. During this extraction operation the basket and agitator are rotated as a unit andthe liquid is discharged into the tub through open, ings 8. The basket and agitator are respectively mounted on concentric independently rotatable shafts driven by trio'Company', assignee of the present invention, may be employed.

The mechanism 12 may be mounted in a suitable manner in the central bottom portion of tub 2, and is sealed thereto by a resilient boot 13. A drive motor 14 mounted within casing 1 serves to drive the mechanism through sheaves 15 and 16 connected respectively to sheaves 17 and 18 driven by the motor. The sheaves in turn are operated by a directionally responsive clutch means 19, including an agitate clutch wand a spin clutch 21. When motor 14 rotates in one direction, sheave 18 is driven to effect oscillation'of the agitator, and when the motor rotates in the other direction, sheave 1 7 is driven to effect rotation of the basket and the agitator together. Motor 14is' directly coupled to a direction responsive pump'3tl the inlet of which is connected to the bottom of tub 2 to draw water from the tub while the basket 6 is being spun and to discharge such water from the machine through a suitable conduit 31. During oscillation of the agitator, i. e. during the washing operation, the pump rotates in the opposite direction and is ineffective to pump Water from the tub. A preferred pump for this use is shown in the Patent 2,680,407, to C. R. Sebens, issued June 8, 4, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

Also mounted in the bottom of tub 2 is a water level switch 32, adapted to close a circuit when the level of water in tub 2 reaches a predetermined setting. This may conveniently comprise a make-and-break type electric switch with its closing action being accomplished by the weight of water pressing upon a diaphragm 33 against the action of a compression spring 34. Closing of switch 32 may automatically start the washing cycle 7 effecting closing of the electro-responsive water supply valves and starting of the washing machine motor 14 as is now known in connection with the operation of automatic clothes washing machines. A suitable switch of this type may be actuated by the collection of as little as one pint of water in tub 2.

As indicated in Figs. 1 and 3, a cold water supply conduit 40 and a hot water supply conduit 41 are mounted in the casing 1 adjacent the upper portion of tub 2, and are connected in any suitable manner to the respective external water supply sources. Water entering conduits 40 and 41 may pass through a pair of valve housings 42 and 43, having therein suitable independently controlled valves with valve seats, not shown, the water emerging therefrom into outlet conduits 44 and 45. These conduits lead into mixing spout 11 from which the mixed water is directed into basket 6. It will be understood that the valves within housings 42 and 43 may be selectively operated so that only hot water may be supplied to the washing machine, or so that a mixture of hot and cold water may be supplied. Frequently, the operator desires to use hot water for the washing steps and water of lower temperature for subsequent rinsing operations.

Our invention contemplates the use of suitable electro-responsive valves, operated by solenoids and subject jointly to the temperature control selected by the operator, as well as the control exerted by the water level switch 32. A suitable system of the type shown in above-mentioned Welch et al. Patent 2,654,239 may be employed for operating the valves within housings 42 and 43 of our apparatus. Although our invention is not restricted to any particular type of electro-responsive valve, it is desirable that the exit apertures of the valves permit orifice or nozzle-type flow with a substantially constant flow coefiicient.

Leading from the downstream side of the valves contained in housings 42 and 43 are branch entry conduits 46 and 47 for conveying branch streams of cold and hot water from the valves, respectively, to our variable fill control means. Since the pressure in conduits 46 and 47 is the same as the pressure in the corresponding basket feeding conduits 44 and 45, a flow may be secured through either or both of the branch conduits which is proportional to the flow simultaneously occurring in either or both of the basket feeding conduits to which the branch conduit is attached.

Referring to Fig. 2, the variable fill control means includes a valve housing 50 suitably mountedv within panel 5. At one end the housing is provided with a cold water passage 51 extending from branch conduit 46 to a metering or exit conduit 52 leading directly into tub 2. A metering valve seat 53 is provided in the cold water passage. The passage 51 and the seat 53 are preferably formed, as shown, in a separate plug member 60 which is mounted in the main body of the housing. This arrangement, as explained hereinafter, provides for easy assembly of the control. The housing is also provided with a hot water passage 54 which extends from branch conduit 47 to the metering conduit 52 past another metering valve seat 55 formed in a transverse web of the valve housing. Extending lengthwise of the housing and adapted for selective seating with respect to the valve seats is a valve actuating member or stem carrying a cold water valve 56 and a hot water valve 57. We prefer to rotate these valves into and out of contact with their respective valve seats.

One convenient arrangement may comprise a valve stem 58 having a threaded portion 58a engaging with a threaded aperture at one end of the housing 50 and rotatable by means of a suitably calibrated control knob 59 accessible from the front of panel 5. Valves 56 and 57 are mounted upon the valve stem or shaft for simultaneous and identical movement with respect to their valve seats so that the size of the orifices formed as the valves move toward or away from the valve seats is predetermined and permits accurate calibration of the control knob 59. Preferably the shaft 58 has a longitudinal movement sufficient to permit withdrawing the valves far enough from their valve seats to insure a flushing flow of water across the valve head and valve seat whenever this is desired, as when rust or other particles find their way into the water sources. Normally, however, this extended Withdrawal, or backing off of shaft 58 is not necessary. In any event shaft 58 is capable of sufficient movement to give a range of fill of the basket extending from full fill to half fill, as explained hereinafter.

The operation of our clothes washing machine with the above-described variable fill control means may be described as follows: Having determined the amount of water required for washing a given amount of clothes, i. e., whether the basket should have a full, half-full or other partial load or level of water, the operator adjusts knob 59 accordingly. Adjustment of the knob moves valves 56 and 57 away from their valve seats and establishes a path of flow from branch conduits 46 and 47 into metering conduit 52. In the event no mixed flow is desired, as when all of the water is to be hot water, both valves nevertheless are moved as described. The farther the valves are displaced from their seats the greater is the orifice area produced and the greater is the amount of water metered into the tub in a given time. Concomitantly, the lower will be the level or load of water introduced into the basket 6 before the water supply is interrupted by the closing of switch 32.

After setting knob 59 and with the tub empty of water, the operator then actuates the washer control system (having first established the temperature value for the water to be used in the washer upon actuation of the control system), the solenoid operated valves in housings 42 and 43 function in known manner and water begins to flow into conduits 44 and 45 and into basket 6 under a certain pressure head. Simultaneously water under the same pressure head flows into branch conduits 46 and 47 and reaches valve housing 50. By the setting given to valves 56 and 57 in this housing and by the size of orifices formed by those valves with their valve seats, an amount of water is directed into metering conduit 52 which not only is proportional to the amount of water simultaneously entering basket 6, but also is capable of representing different ratios of proportionality, as the size of such orifices is selectively changed by actuation of knob 59.

When a prescribed amount of water from metering conduit 52 is collected in tub 2, the switch 32 closes the water supplying circuit and further supply of water is cut off until the next washing stage requiring more water, as for example a subsequent rinsing operation. Prior, however, to initiation of the next water-requiring stage, the pump 30 will have removed the used water from tub 2 through conduit 31 and permitted the switch 32 to have reset itself.

From the above it will be seen that by our invention we provide a variable fill control whereby the amount of water introduced into the clothes washing basket may be simply and easily varied by the operator so that only the optimum amount needed to wash the clothes is used. By varying the proportion between the flow rate into the basket and the flow rate into the tub, a greater or lesser amount of water may be collected in the basket before the water level switch in the tub closes and shuts the water valves. The proportion between the flow rates is, of course, varied by changing the setting of dial 59 so as to adjust the fiow rate through line 52 into the tub. The higher the flow rate into the tub relative to that into the basket, the less water is collected in the basket, and the lower the flow rate into the tub, the more water is collected in the basket. Thus by our invention we provide a simple and accurate means for operating a clothes washing machine in a manner conducive to water conservation. Moreover, this improved variable fill control means can be applied to conventional clothes washing machines without major changes in structure of such machines and without any substantial modification of the electrical program control of such machines.

Also it will be observed that if the basket 6 should become filled to the overflow condition as a result of an abnormal condition of operation of the machine, the sensing device 33 will automatically shut off the water supply and thus render the machine fail safe."

With regard to the construction of the variable fill control, it will be noted that valve 56 is slightly smaller in diameter than valve 57. This makes it possible to mount the valves within the housing 50 by inserting the valve stem 58 into the housing from the right side thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2. The valve 56 passes through the valve seat or neck 55 as the stem is inserted, so that stem may be moved inwardly until the valve 57 seats against the neck 55. The assembly is completed by inserting the plug 6% from the other side of the housing until the valve seat 53 engages the valve 56. The plug 60 is then fastened in place by any suitable means, as for example, by a set screw or soldering. This construction provides easy assembly, precise adjustment and relatively simple machining operations. To avoid leakage from the control the plug 60 is sealed to the main housing 50 by a gasket 61 and the stem 58 is sealed thereto by a gasket 62.

While we have shown a particular embodiment of our invention, it will be understood that we do not wish to be limited thereto, since many modifications may be made; and we, therefore, contemplate by the appended claims to cover any such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a clothes washing machine having a tub, a basket within said tub, means for spinning said basket, an electro-responsive hot water supply valve, and an electroresponsive cold water supply valve; a variable fill con trol comprising means including a switch operated in response to the amount of water in said tub to close said supply valves when said amount of water reaches a predetermined value, means for directing water from said valves into said basket when said valves are open, and means including adjustable valve means connected on the downstream side of said supply valves for diverting into said tub an amount of water proportional to the amount of water jointly directed into said basket from both of said supply valves, the adjustment of said adjustable valve means varying the proportion between the amounts of water supplied to said tub and said basket, thereby to provide for filling said basket to different levels before said switch closes said valve.

2. In a clothes washing machine having a tub, a basket provided with a water overflow means into said tub, means for spinning said basket, an electro-responsive hot water supply valve, and an electro-responsive cold water supply valve; a variable fill control comprising means including a switch operated in response to the amount of water in said tub to close said supply valves when said amount of water reaches a predetermined value, means for directing water from said valves into said basket, and a proportional flow control means for diverting into said tub an amount of water proportional to the amount of water jointly directed into said basket from said hot and cold water valves and comprising a valve housing a movably adjustable member extending into said housing, an exit conduit extending from said housing into said tub, entry conduits extending to said housing from the downstream side of said hot and cold water supply valves, valve seats in said housing between said entry conduits and said exit conduit, and a pair of valves controlled by said adjustable member, said valves being actuated by said member to move toward said valve seats when the member is moved in one direction and to move away from said valve seats when the member is moved in an opposite direction.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 including a pump for removing water from said tub at the completion of a predetermined stage of operation, said switch being arranged to reset iself for a subsequent water supplying operation upon said removal of water.

4. In a clothes washing machine having a tub, a basket mounted within said tub, means for spinning said basket, and at least one electro-responsive water supply valve; a variable fill control comprising a switch operated in response to the amount of water in said tub to close said supply valve when said amount of water reaches a predetermined value, a conduit for carrying Water from said valve into said basket, and means including adjustable valve means connected on the downstream side of said supply valve for diverting into said tub an amount of water proportional to the amount of Water introduced into said basket, the adjustment of said valve means varying the proportion between the amounts of water supplied to said tub and said basket, thereby to provide for filling said basket to different levels before said switch closes said valve.

5. In a washing machine having an imperforate clothes basket rotatable about a vertical axis, an imperforate tub enclosing said basket, and means for filling said basket including an electro-responsive hot water supply valve and an electro-responsive cold water supply valve; a variable fill control comprising a switch operated in response to the amount of water in said tub and arranged to effect closing of said supply valves when said amount of water reaches a pre-determined value, conduit means for conducting water from said valves into said basket when said valves are open, and means for diverting into said tub an amount of water proportional to the amount of water introduced into said basket, said means including an adjustable proportioning valve having a housing including a single outlet arranged to discharge into said tub, a pair of inlet ports connected respectively to said hot and cold water supply valves, and a pair of axially spaced valve seats disposed respectively between said inlet ports and said outlet, and a valve stem threaded to said housing for longitudinal movement within said housing, said stem having a pair of spaced apart valve elements thereon arranged to cooperate respectively with said valve seats for varying the flow therethrough as said stem is moved, thereby to vary the proportion between the flow into said tub and the flow into said basket, and a manually operable knob mounted at the outer end of said valve stem for turning said stern thereby to effect the valve adjustment and provide for filling said basket to different levels before said switch closes said supply valves.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,561,257 Woodson July 17, 1951 2,619,824 Condon Dec. 2, 1952 2,684,691 Strickler July 27, 1954 2,784,582 Hartung et al Mar. 12, 1957 

